Tyler Brooks
Shabbat candles are lit every Friday night to mark the beginning of Shabbat. The candles are traditionally lit by the woman of the household, though in contemporary egalitarian families, any adult can light the candles. While there is no minimum time for how long the candles should last, they must burn for at least as long as they are needed, and they should not be extinguished. Most wax Shabbat candles tend to stay lit for around 4 hours, with some lasting up to 6 hours.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time to light | 18 minutes before sunset, but local customs vary. In Jerusalem, for example, the custom is to light 40 minutes before sunset. |
| Colour | White, but any colour can be used. |
| Burn time | At least until you recite Hamotzi, the blessing over bread. Some sources say two to three hours. There is no minimum time required by Halakha, but they should burn long enough for you to benefit from their light. |
| Extinguishing | Shabbat candles should not be extinguished but allowed to burn all the way down. |
| Number | The most common custom is to light two candles, one to "remember" Shabbat and one to "guard" Shabbat. |
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What You'll Learn
- Shabbat candles should burn for at least two to three hours, or until you recite Hamotzi
- They should be lit 18 minutes before sunset, or 40 minutes in Jerusalem
- The blessing over the candles is said after they are lit, unlike most blessings
- They should be placed somewhere they can be seen, but not in a draught or near flammable items
- The tradition of lighting Shabbat candles is performed by women, or men in households without women
Shabbat candles should burn for at least two to three hours, or until you recite Hamotzi
Shabbat candles are lit every Friday night to usher in Shabbat, the day of rest in Judaism. The lighting of these candles is considered a mitzvah, or commandment, and is traditionally the obligation of the woman of the household. In households without adult women, the responsibility falls to a man, and in contemporary egalitarian families, any adult or the family together may light the candles.
The earliest time to light Shabbat candles is an hour and a quarter before sunset, and the latest is 18 minutes before sundown, though local customs may vary. For example, in Jerusalem, the custom is to light the candles 40 minutes before sunset. The candles are traditionally white, though any colour can be used, and they should be placed in an area where they can be seen but not disturbed or blown out prematurely.
If you are using electric lights in addition to candles, there does not seem to be a strict requirement for the candles to last a specific duration. However, if you wish to say a blessing over the candles, they should ideally last long enough to serve your needs on Friday night, such as during a meal.
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They should be lit 18 minutes before sunset, or 40 minutes in Jerusalem
Shabbat candles are traditionally lit during a window of 18 minutes before sunset on Friday. This marks the beginning of Shabbat and the end of the working week. The custom is to light the candles 18 minutes before sunset, but this can vary depending on location and personal preference. For example, in Jerusalem, the custom is to light the candles 40 minutes before sunset. This extended window of time is unique to Jerusalem and is signalled by a siren that can be heard throughout the city.
The reason for lighting Shabbat candles at this specific time is rooted in the idea of welcoming the Shabbat Queen, a concept found in rabbinic literature. By lighting the candles before sunset, one symbolically ushers in the Shabbat Queen and prepares for the Sabbath rest. This practice is deeply rooted in Jewish tradition and is considered a commandment or mitzvah.
The length of time that Shabbat candles need to last is not strictly defined. However, it is considered important to benefit from the light of the candles, often by using them during a meal. Some sources suggest that the candles should burn for at least two to three hours, while others state that they should last until you recite Hamotzi, the blessing over bread.
It is worth noting that there are variations in practice. Some people light the candles very early, so their light cannot be distinguished from sunlight, while others light them closer to sunset. The key consideration is to ensure that the candles provide light for a meaningful duration, whether it be during a meal or upon returning home after sunset.
In conclusion, while the ideal duration for Shabbat candles to last is not prescribed, it is important to light them within the customary timeframe of 18 minutes before sunset, or 40 minutes in Jerusalem. The light of the candles holds symbolic significance, and their presence enhances the Shabbat experience, bringing warmth and spirituality to the home.
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The blessing over the candles is said after they are lit, unlike most blessings
Shabbat candles are lit to mark the beginning of Shabbat, which is ushered in every Friday night at sundown. The candles are traditionally lit 18 minutes before sunset, though customs vary by location. For example, in Jerusalem, the custom is to light the candles 40 minutes before sunset. The blessing over the candles is said after they are lit, unlike most blessings. This is because, in Jewish tradition, blessings are usually said before the act. For example, Kiddush is said before drinking wine, and Hamotzi is said before eating bread. However, the blessing over the candles brings in Shabbat, and since candles may not be lit on Shabbat, the order is reversed.
The Talmud records that lighting Shabbat candles is a commandment, but it does not mention a blessing attached to them. The first recorded instance of a blessing for lighting the Shabbat candles is found in the Siddur of Rav Amram (9th century). This blessing is said after the lighting of the candles and is modelled on the blessing for lighting Hanukkah candles.
There is no minimum time requirement for how long the Shabbat candles must stay lit, but they should burn for at least long enough for one to benefit from their light. This is often done by using the candlelight for a meal. It is considered important to light the candles in a safe place, away from flammable materials, especially if they will be left to burn down on their own.
The candles should be allowed to burn down completely and should not be extinguished. If a candle goes out before burning down, the mitzvah, or commandment, is still considered fulfilled. Shabbat candles typically burn for around four hours, though some can last up to six hours. To ensure the candles last long enough, it is recommended to avoid using birthday or Hanukkah candles, as they burn down quickly.
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They should be placed somewhere they can be seen, but not in a draught or near flammable items
Shabbat candles are lit to mark the beginning of Shabbat, which is ushered in every Friday night at sundown. The candles are traditionally lit by the woman of the household, but in contemporary egalitarian families, any adult may light them.
The candles should be placed somewhere they can be seen and appreciated, but it is important to be mindful of safety. They should not be placed in a draught or breeze, as this could extinguish the flames or cause them to burn faster. Similarly, they should not be placed near flammable items, such as paper or textiles, especially if they will be left to burn down unattended.
The candles should also be placed out of the reach of children, who may innocently blow them out. It is traditional not to move the candles after they are lit, and they should not be used for any practical purpose, such as reading by.
Shabbat candles are intended to be burned down completely, so it is important to ensure they are in a safe location where they can be left unattended. If you are concerned about leaving candles burning, you can place them in a sink that won't be used during Shabbat, or use neronim—candles in glass cups—which are less likely to cause a fire if knocked over.
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The tradition of lighting Shabbat candles is performed by women, or men in households without women
Shabbat candles are lit on Friday evenings before sunset to usher in the Jewish Sabbath. The lighting of these candles is a rabbinically mandated law. The candles are traditionally lit during an 18-minute window right before sundown, marking the beginning of Shabbat. Some cities, like Jerusalem, offer a larger window for candle-lighting, beginning 40 minutes before sundown.
The tradition of lighting Shabbat candles is performed by women, as they are more involved in household matters and are usually more present in the home than men. In households without women, the obligation falls on the men. In contemporary egalitarian families, any adult in the house may light the candles, and often, the whole family participates in the ritual together.
The Talmud records that lighting Shabbat candles is a mitzvah (commandment). The practice is believed to have originated as an extension of the custom of lighting a flame before Shabbat, as flames may not be kindled on the Sabbath. Shabbat candles are to be lit before sunset on Friday and burned all the way down. They must burn for at least the duration of reciting Hamotzi, the blessing over bread, and some sources suggest burning them for two to three hours.
The lighting of Shabbat candles is a beloved ritual for Jewish women, with historical accounts of their sacrifices to uphold this tradition. The mitzvah is deeply rooted in Jewish culture, with references in the Talmud and rabbinic literature. The commandment to light Shabbat candles is also found in the Torah, where G-d tells us to remember (zachor) and safeguard (shamor) Shabbat.
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Frequently asked questions
Shabbat candles should last at least until you recite Hamotzi, the blessing over bread. Some sources recommend that they should burn for two to three hours.
It is traditional to light the Shabbat candles during the 18-minute window right before sundown on Friday. However, local customs may vary. For example, in Jerusalem, the custom is to light candles 40 minutes before sundown.
It is customary to use white candles, but any candles can be used as long as they will burn for two to three hours. It is recommended to avoid using birthday or Hanukkah candles as they burn down quickly.
While there is no strict requirement, using electric lights for Shabbat is considered a great way to honour the tradition. If you choose to light candles in addition to electric lights, ensure that they last long enough to serve your needs on Friday night.
